Cablegate: Georgia: Reaction to 2007 International Religious Freedom

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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

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DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND DRL

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: REACTION TO 2007 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
REPORT

1. (U) Government reaction. On September 20, 2007, Emboff presented
a copy of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) report text to
Irakli Machitidze, the U.S. desk officer in the Georgian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, and offered to address any questions or concerns.
Machitidze noted with satisfaction the report's conclusion that the
situation for freedom of religion in Georgia has for the most part
improved, and promised to continue monitoring the issues that the
report identified as needing further improvement. Machitidze noted
that the report addressed issues of ethnic and religious minority
conditions that had potential to adversely affect US aid to Georgia,
and said that the conclusions of this year's report should not
warrant attachment of conditions to assistance or the curtailment of
any specific assistance programs.

2. (U) Media reaction. Media reaction to the report's release was
muted. Most Georgian media outlets reported the release as a major
but not a lead item. A popular TV news interview show featured
U.S.Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mark X. Perry in an interview
concerning the report, and gave him and the report a respectful
reception.

3. (U) Social reaction. The report did not lead to any mass
demonstrations or protests in reaction. No press releases,
inquiries, or letters were received by the US Embassy regarding the
report. The release of the report coincided with, but was not
linked to, a brief media controversy over a conservative
parliamentarian's proposal to assign Orthodox priests to state
classrooms. That proposal was not backed by the present Georgian
government, and did not result in legislation. The proposal was
made after this year's report was released.

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